Sometimes you have a small chip in your tooth from crunching down on something too hard or you have a tiny gap between your teeth that bugs you because food often gets trapped in it. If you are dealing with these issues they may seem rather small compared to many dental problems people have, but if the issue bothers you then it’s certainly not something to ignore. With simple procedures like bonding and contouring, our Springfield, IL, cosmetic dentist Dr. John Luker can help improve the shape, size or color of one or more teeth.

What is dental bonding?

The same tooth-colored resin that’s used to restore a tooth after a cavity can also be used for cosmetic purposes, too. By applying this moldable material over problem areas, we can immediately mask them with this simple non-invasive procedure. The bonding resin is even matched to the shade of your tooth beforehand to ensure that it will blend right in.

From there, the bonding resin is shaped and hardened into place with a dental light. The procedure takes anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour for one tooth. The procedure is an easy way to improve the shape, size or color of a tooth.

What is cosmetic contouring?

Contouring and bonding often go hand in hand. During cosmetic contouring our Springfield, IL, dentist will painlessly remove a minor amount of enamel from one or more teeth to improve its size or shape.

What dental problems can bonding and contouring address?

Bonding is a great option for someone who is dealing with uneven teeth, gaps between teeth or small chips, cracks and discolorations. If these imperfections are minor then this treatment may be all you need to improve the appearance of a tooth.

Cosmetic contouring is a great option if you have teeth that overlap a bit, if you have teeth that are a little jagged or uneven, or if you have teeth that are too pointy. Bonding and contouring may even be used together to enhance your smile.

If you are ready to find out how bonding and cosmetic contouring can help you, then it’s time you scheduled a consultation with our Springfield, IL, family dentist. Call Luker Dental Care today!